Apparatus and Method for Conveying Materials

ABSTRACT

A conveyor apparatus and method for conveying materials in which the conveyor belt has chord members located along each belt side. The chord members are adapted to fit within a slotted track assembly whereby the chord members slide relative to the track assemblies when the conveyor is actuated.

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/706,640, filed Aug. 8, 2005, and U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/804,151, filed Jun. 7, 2006, both ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety in thepresent application.

FIELD

The method for conveying and the conveying apparatus disclosed hereinrelate generally to conveying materials such as wet chips that aresubsequently separated into dry materials and fluids; and morespecifically, to a conveyor apparatus that utilizes a conveyor belt aswell as a chord member and keyhole slot track assembly to transportmaterial on the conveyor belt from one location to another.

BACKGROUND

It is well known to utilize a conveyor system for transporting materialssuch as wet chips generated in the course of a machining operation. Thewet chips often are placed on a conveyor at a machine tool station wherethe wet chips are generated. The conveyor then generally conveys the wetchips to a centrifugal separator station such as illustrated in Nemedi,U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,487 where the wet chips are separated into dry chipsand fluids.

Different conveyor apparatus are employed to transport the wet chips.One system includes the use of a metal or plastic conveyor belt that hasa plurality of roller assemblies attached to the sides of the belt. Theroller assemblies serve as carriages adapted to ride in tracks locatedon the opposite sides of the conveyor apparatus. This type conveyorapparatus has been found to be relatively costly and generally includesa substantial number of components, all of which are subject tomaintenance problems. Moreover, when this conveyor apparatus is employedto convey wet chips, it has been found that fluid in the wet chipsescapes from the system as it travels to the sides of the conveyor andout of the conveyor apparatus. Further, it has been found that wet chipson the conveyor sometimes come in contact with various conveyorcomponents and cause them to malfunction. The conveyor system then hasto be removed from service and the malfunction corrected.

Accordingly, it is desired to have a conveyor system for transportingmaterials such as wet chips wherein the conveyor apparatus has a reducednumber of parts when compared to the roller system conveyor apparatuspresently available. It is further desired to have a conveyor apparatuswhere the undesired escape of wet chip fluid into various conveyorcomponents is obviated. Further, it is desired to reduce or limitcontact between conveyed wet chips and the various components of theconveyor apparatus transporting the wet chips.

SUMMARY

Briefly, a conveyor system may have a flexible conveyor belt fashionedinto an endless conveyor belt. The belt may have two sides with aflexible chord member located at each side of the conveyor belt. Theends of each chord member may be joined together to form endless chordmembers.

The conveyor frame assembly includes a pair of spaced frame sidewalls. Atrack assembly is attached to each sidewall. Each track assemblyincludes a track formed by a keyhole slot having a slot profile whichmates with the profile of a mating conveyor belt chord member. Eachchord member is inserted into a corresponding track slot.

Upon actuation of a drive assembly, the conveyor belt moves relative tothe conveyor frame assembly and the chord members each slide withintheir respective track slots. The chord member-slot connections are suchthat it is believed that a substantial dynamic seal is formed betweenthe track assemblies and the sliding conveyor belt chord members. Theseal arrangement is expected to substantially preclude wet chips and wetchip fluid from passing through the conveyor apparatus at the locationof the seal arrangement.

Other advantages of such a conveyor system will become apparent from thedrawings and the following detailed description of the method ofconveying and the conveyor apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the conveyor apparatus;

FIG. 2 shows a partial perspective view of the conveyor apparatus ofFIG. 1 with the conveyor belt removed and the conveyor belt supporttrack assembly spaced from the conveyor apparatus;

FIG. 3 shows a side section view of the conveyor apparatus taken alonglines 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows an end section view taken along lines 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5-10 show partial end section views of conveyor belts havingdifferent chord member embodiments;

FIG. 11 shows a conveyor belt drive sheave adapted to seat on a conveyorbelt drive shaft and receive a chord member;

FIG. 12 shows a side view of the conveyor belt drive sheave of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 show a track end block taken along lines 13-13 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 shows an end view of the track end block shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 shows a first partial perspective view illustrating the conveyordrive assembly;

FIG. 16 shows a second partial perspective view of the conveyor beltdrive assembly and tensioning assembly viewed from the side oppositethat shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 shows a partial section end view, viewed from the conveyor endopposite that shown in FIG. 4, of a second drive sheave assembly andtensioning assembly embodiment with a belt chord member disposed withina mating groove formed in the sheave;

FIG. 18 shows a partial side view of one of two conveyor belt track andend block assemblies;

FIG. 19 shows another embodiment of the drive sprocket adapted to seaton a conveyor belt drive shaft;

FIG. 20 shows an end section view taken along lines 4-4 in FIG. 3 exceptthat the chord member comprises the chord member embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 21 shows a track end block taken along lines 13-13 in FIG. 1 exceptthat the end block top slot and bottom slot are shaped to configure andmate with the chord member embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 22 shows an end view of the track end block shown in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 shows a further embodiment of a portion of the conveyorapparatus of FIG. 1 disposed in a container or trough, a portion ofwhich is illustrated, containing a fluid having solid particles therein;

FIGS. 24 and 25 show a further embodiment in which a horizontal conveyorsystem employs a moving filter belt system for filtering solids out of afluid containing solids therein;

FIGS. 26 and 27 show a vertical conveyor system employing a movingfilter belt system for filtering solids out of fluid containing solidstherein;

FIGS. 28 and 29 show a further embodiment of a filter system in whicheach of two spaced chord members attached to a cylindrical shaped porousconveyor belt is disposed in a slot of a rotatable end member;

FIG. 30 shows a partial section view taken along lines 30-30 in FIG. 28;

FIG. 31 shows a top view of another embodiment in which the conveyorsystem employs a moving belt;

FIG. 32 shows a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 31; and

FIG. 33 shows an end sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 31.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary apparatus 10 comprises a housing assembly 11 that, asillustrated in FIGS. 1-4, includes base 12. Sidewall 13 extends upwardlyfrom one side edge of base 12 and is flanged inwardly at 14. Sidewall 15extends upwardly from the remaining side edge of base 12 and is flangedinwardly at 16.

The base and sidewalls may, if desired, each be formed of one integralmember, or, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, housing assembly 11 may beformed wherein base 12 and sidewalls 13, 15 are each formed of multiplecomponents. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a housingassembly 11 where sidewall 13 is formed by sidewall portions 17, 18, 19,and sidewall 15 is formed by sidewall portions 20, 21, 22. In the eventbase 12 and/or sidewalls 13, 15 are formed of a plurality of sidewall orbase components, the components, in assembly, may be joined together inany suitable manner, e.g., bolts or welding, to form an integral housingassembly. Depending upon a particular application, sidewall portions 19,22, for example, may include a plurality of slots 23 or other openingsto permit the passage of fluid or other material.

FIGS. 2 and 4 illustrate one embodiment of a conveyor belt support frame24. Frame 24 comprises a plurality of space support bars 25 which may bemade of metal or plastic, for example. Each bar 25 includes a bottomedge 26, top edge 27, and side edges 28, 29. Each bar is recessed at 30contiguous to a bar side edge 28, 29. Additionally, spaced grooves 31are located along the top bar edge 27. Bars 25 are each joined at itsrespective side edges to a respective frame sidewall. For example, asshown in FIG. 4, bar 25 is joined at side edge 28 in any suitablemanner, e.g., welding, fastener, to sidewall 13 while bar side edge 29is joined to sidewall 15.

Spaced conveyor belt support rods 32 traverse support bars 25. Each rod32 is disposed in a plurality of substantially aligned grooves 31 inbars 25 and is retained in the grooves by welding or other suitablefastener retention assemblies.

A first track assembly 34 is located on the inner face of sidewall 13and a second track assembly 38 is located on the inner face of sidewall15. Track assembly 34 comprises one or more upper slotted track blocks35, lower slotted track blocks 36 and a slotted track end block 37.Track assembly 38 comprises one or more upper slotted track blocks 39,lower slotted track blocks 40 and a slotted track end block, not shown,identical to end block 37. The upper and lower track blocks 35, 36, 39,40 are releasably fastened to a respective sidewall 13, 15 by suitablescrew fasteners 41.

Each track end block 37 includes a U-shaped slot. Track end block 37 isfastened to the inner face of sidewall 13 by means of suitablereleasable screw fasteners 42 (compare with FIG. 2). Track end block 37(FIGS. 13, 14) is positioned so that top slot 43 is substantiallyaligned with the slot in the upper track block 35 and lower slot 44 issubstantially aligned with the slot in lower track block 36 whereby anelongated V-shaped slotted track is located on sidewall 13. Similarly,top slot in the track end block on sidewall 15 (not shown) issubstantially aligned with the slot in upper track block 39 and bottomend block slot is substantially aligned with the slot in lower trackblock 40 to form an elongated V-shaped slotted track on sidewall 15.

Angle bar 46 (see FIG. 4) is joined to and depends from sidewall flange14. Similarly, angle bar 47 is joined to and depends from sidewallflange 16. First guide rail or flashing 48 is attached to angle bar 46by releasable screws 50 while second guide rail or flashing 49 isattached to angle bar 47 by releasable screws 50.

Conveyor belt 60 preferably is made of a flexible porous material, e.g.,nylon. It is appreciated that, depending upon a particular application,belt 60 could be made non-porous and also of a different material. Belt60 has two sides 61, 62. Chord member 63 is joined to belt side 61 whilechord member 64 is joined to belt side 62. Each chord member is aflexible member and may be made of any suitable elastomeric, plastic orother material as, for example, Buna N rubber.

Chord members 63, 64 also are designed to have a defined shape as shown,for example, in FIGS. 5-10 that illustrate chord members havingdifferent defined shape embodiments. Presently, the preferred shape forchord members 63, 64 is the circular profile illustrated in FIGS. 5 and20-22.

If desired, the chord members can be fabricated from the same materialas belt 60. Belt 60 and chord members 63, 64 can, if desired, form oneintegral flexible structure (e.g., FIGS. 6, 8, 9) or the chord memberscan be separate members attached or otherwise joined, e.g., gluing, tobelt 60 (FIG. 5, 7, 10). Turning to the chord member embodiment of FIG.5, chord member 63 is enclosed within a flexible plastic loop member 66,which, in turn, is attached by gluing, sewing or other suitableconnection to belt 60.

Belt 60 is intended to travel relative to track assemblies 34, 38. Chordmember 63, which is adapted to mate with the configuration of slots 43,44, is inserted for movement within track assembly 34 while chord member64 is inserted for movement within track assembly 38.

A chord member may be inserted into a track assembly commencing at theend of a track assembly located near drive assembly 70, to be described.After inserting the chord member through a track assembly sidewall andtrack end block, the ends of the chord member are fastened or joinedtogether by stitching, gluing or other suitable method to form anendless chord member. The ends of conveyor belt 60 also are fastened orjoined together by gluing, stitching or other suitable method to formendless conveyor belt 60.

Upon actuation of the drive assembly 70, endless belt 60 and endlesschord members 63, 64 travel along the length of a particular conveyor.

Drive assembly 70 comprises a conventional motor 71 and gear box 72connected to the motor to form a motor assembly. Drive shaft 73 (FIGS.15 and 16) is coupled to a shaft extending from gearbox 72 whereuponactuation of motor 71, drive shaft 73 will rotate. Drive shaft 73 isdisposed within spaced bearing assemblies 74, 75.

A pair of spaced drive sheaves 76, 77 are releasably attached to driveshaft 73. As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, each sheave preferablyincludes a knurled surface 78 and a recessed portion 79 that preferablyis shaped to conform to and mate substantially with the shape of chordmembers 63, 64. Screw holes 80 are adapted to receive a suitable screw,not shown, to releasably fix sheaves 76, 77 to drive shaft 73.

Belt tensioning assembly 82 (FIG. 16) preferably includes a pair ofspaced angle bars 83, 84 welded or otherwise joined to the outer facesof sidewall 13. Bearing assembly 75 is releasably bolted at 85 to plate86 and is held in place by and adapted to slide within angle bars 83,84. A second pair of angle bars 87, 88 is joined to sidewall 15. Bearingassembly 74 is releasably bolted at 89 to plate 90. Plate 90 is retainedwithin and slides relative to angle bars 87, 88.

Sidewall 13 is slotted at 92 while sidewall 15 is slotted at 93. Driveshaft 73, as illustrated in FIGS. 15, 16 extends through sidewall slots92, 93. Tensioning assembly 82 is attached to sidewall 13 as shown, forexample, in FIG. 16. Tensioning assembly 82 includes threaded block 95welded to sidewall 13. A partially treaded bolt 96 is threaded ontoblock 95. Pad 97 is fixed to the outboard end of bolt 96 and compressionspring 98 and nut 99 are disposed on bolt 96 between block 95 and pad97. Upon turning bolt 96 in one direction, pad 97 will contact and moveplate 86 along with plate 90 causing drive shaft 73 to move in thedirection of arrow “A” (FIGS. 15, 16). As drive shaft 73 moves in thedirection of arrow “A,” sheaves 76, 77 contact belt chord members 63, 64in sheave recesses 79 causing tension to occur in belt 60. When bolt 96is turned in the opposite direction, drive shaft 73 can move in thedirection illustrated by arrow “B,” whereupon the tension is releasedand belt 60 is in a more relaxed position.

In operation, endless belt 60 travels along its length relative tostationary track assemblies 34, 38. Because of the arrangement wherebychord members 63, 64 have a shape which substantially conforms to andmates with the slotted keyhole shape in track assemblies 34, 38, it isbelieved that a substantial sealing arrangement is established betweenthe belt and track assemblies. Further, guide rails or flashings 48, 49serve to guide wet chips or other materials being conveyed along thelength of the conveyor and also assist in precluding conveyed materialfrom falling from the sides of conveyor belt 60 or contacting a chordmember disposed in a track assembly.

While the conveyor system has been disclosed with respect to theconveying of wet chip materials, it is appreciated that any number ofother similar materials could be expected to be employed with thisconveyor apparatus.

Similarly, it has been described that sheaves 76, 77 can be attached todrive shaft 73 (FIG. 12). If desired, as illustrated by the embodimentshown in FIG. 17, the sheaves can be maintained on shaft 73 by means ofbushings 100, 101 that are releasably attached to shaft 73 and maintaina sheave between them.

Instead of employing angle bar assemblies 83, 84 and 87, 88 (FIG. 15),flanged plate 102 (FIG. 17) can be employed to hold plates 86, 90 inplace on the frame sidewalls while allowing the plates to slide relativeto the sidewalls.

Further, it is contemplated that, if desired, sheaves 76, 77 could bereplaced with a sheave of the type shown in FIG. 19, sheave 110. Sheave110 is formed to employ a plurality of spaced notches 111 which contactconveyor belt 60. Sheave 110 could be knurled, if desired.

FIG. 23 shows the conveyor system of FIG. 1 partially disposed in atrough 120, a portion of which is illustrated, containing a fluid havingwet chips or some other solid particulate therein. A vacuum is pulledwithin that portion of conveyor apparatus 10 disposed below the fluidlevel in trough 120. More specifically, referring to FIG. 4, a vacuum ispulled within that portion of the conveyor assembly, i.e., sidewalls 13,15, track assemblies 34, 38, and conveyor belt 60, that serve to form asubstantially sealed environment. The solids will be pulled onto (and,potentially, may even become semi-embedded in) the belt 60 and travel onthe endless conveyor belt disposed horizontally in the fluid trough.Then conveyor belt 60 exits the fluid as illustrated at Z in FIG. 23,the solid particulate can be scraped or otherwise removed from conveyorbelt 60.

Additional embodiments of conveyor apparatuses according to the presentdisclosure are illustrated in FIGS. 24-33.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 24 and 25, the horizontal oblong-shapedconveyor belt assembly is partially disposed in a fluid trough. Again, avacuum system is employed to pull a vacuum on the underside of conveyorbelt 130 whereby solids traveling in the fluid trough are filtered outof the fluid passing through the porous conveyor belt. The solids remainon and travel along on the conveyor belt. When the conveyor belt andsolids exit the fluid trough, the solids on the belt can be scraped orremoved from the belt.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 26 and 27, an oblong-shaped conveyor system,similar to the conveyor embodiment of FIG. 25, is partially disposed ina fluid trough. The oblong-shaped conveyor of FIGS. 26 and 27 differsfrom that of FIG. 25 in that the conveyor belt 140 is oriented in avertical direction. Additionally, scraper apparatus 141 having a scraper142 is disposed contiguous to belt 140. Scraper 142 scrapes the solidsfiltered out of the fluid from conveyor belt 140.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 28 and 29, a cylindrically-shaped conveyorbelt 146 is partially disposed in a fluid containing solids. Two spacedconveyor end plates 148, see FIG. 30, each include a flange 149 locatedat the outer edge of each circular end wall. The flange includes innerflange portion 150 and outer flange portion 151. Inner flange portion150 is grooved or slotted to form an endless keyhole slot 152 on theouter surface of the flange. The surface of flange portion 151 isadapted to serve as a cam follower.

A plurality of cams 155 are attached for rotation to each of the spacedvertical sidewalls 154 of the conveyor belt frame support. Each cam isadapted to contact a cam follower on flange portion 151. A sprocketchain drive assembly 170 is employed to rotate the spaced end plates148, the later being connected together by suitable spaced tie rods, notshown.

Conveyor belt 146 is a flexible porous member having chord members 162located at each belt side edge. Each chord member 162 is adapted to seatwithin a slot 152 to form a seat between an end plate flange and a beltside edge.

Upon actuation of drive assembly 170, end plates 148 are rotated and thecam followers travel on spaced cams 155. The circularly shaped conveyorbelt 146 rotates in the direction shown by arrow A and passes through afluid trough containing solids. A vacuum apparatus 171 serves to pull avacuum on the underside of belt 146 whereby solids in the fluid arepulled onto the moving conveyor belt 146. After the belt and attachedsolids exit the fluid trough, they travel in the direction of arrow A toa scraper apparatus 173 where a scraper 174 scrapes or removes thesolids from belt 146.

A further embodiment of a conveyor system 300 according to the presentdisclosure is illustrated in FIGS. 31-33. The system 300 may have aframe assembly including opposing frame sidewalls 302 (see FIG. 31),each of which may have attached thereto a track assembly 304 that has aslot 306 defined therein (see FIG. 32). The sidewalls 302 may be made ofmetal, and the track assembly 304 may be made of plastic or metal, forexample. As best seen in FIG. 32, each track assembly 304 may includestraight, upper track blocks 308 having a straight slot 310, straight,lower track blocks 312 having a straight slot 314, and an end trackblock 316 with a U-shaped slot 318. The slots 310, 314, 318 may begenerally circular in cross-section (see FIG. 33).

A belt 320 may also be included in the system 300, and may be made of aflexible porous material, e.g., nylon, although other materials may beused as well. The belt 320 may have opposing sides 322, 324, and eachside 322, 324 may have a chord member 326, 328 joined thereto (see FIG.33). The chord members 326, 328 may be flexible, and may be made of anysuitable material, such as elastomers, plastics and the like. The chordmembers 326, 328, as illustrated, have a circular cross-section, and maybe attached to the respective side 322, 324 by wrapping a piece ofmaterial over the chord member 326, 328 and attaching the material toone of the sides 322, 324 of the belt 320 similar to the embodiment ofFIG. 5. The belt 320 may have ends that are fastened together, byfasteners such as staples, for example, or otherwise joined together tothereby define an endless, or continuous, conveyor belt 320. Similarly,the chord members 326, 328 may have ends that are joined to form anendless, or continuous, conveyor belt.

It will be recognized that other cross-sections may be used for the slot306 and the chord members 326, 328, such as the various cross-sectionsillustrated in FIGS. 6-10, for example. However, the cross-sectionsshould be similar in shape such that the chord members 326, 328 andslots (or tracks) 306 substantially mate within one another when thechord members 326, 328 are disposed within the tracks 306. In fact, itis believed that the mating between chord members 326, 328 and tracks306 may provide a dynamic seal when the chord members 326, 328 travelrelative to the tracks 306, thereby limiting movement of the materialtransported on the belt 320 into contact with the chord members 326,328.

The system 300 differs from those embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-30 inthat drive assembly 330 includes a drive pulley assembly 332, includinga pulley such as the S.D. Series Type “D” crowned pulley commerciallyavailable from The Chantland Company of Humboldt, Iowa. As illustratedin FIG. 33, the pulley assembly 332 may include a hollow, cylindricaltube body 334 with opposing endplates 336, 338. The body 334 may beslightly tapered between the center of the body and each of theendplates 336, 338. Moreover, the length of the pulley assembly 332between the opposing endplates 336, 338 may be less that the width ofthe belt 320 between opposing edges 322, 324, such that the endplates336, 338 may be spaced from the tracks 306 and may not contact thechords 326, 328. The body 334 and endplates 336, 338 may be made ofmetal.

The endplates 336, 338 may each have a hub 340, 342 (which also may bemade of metal), with an opening 344, 346 defined therethrough. A driveshaft 348 may be disposed through the openings 344, 346 and the body 334of the pulley assembly 332. The drive shaft 348 may be joined or coupledto the hubs 340, 342, by keys and/or screws, for example, to transmittorque and motion to the pulley assembly 332, although alternativemethods of joining or coupling the drive shaft 348 to the pulleyassembly 332 may also be used. As seen in FIG. 31, the drive shaft 348may be attached to a motor 350, and tensioning assemblies 352, 354, suchas those explained above relative to FIGS. 15-17, may also be included.

The pulley assembly 332 may have a textured surface 360, which surface360 may cooperate with a first surface 362 of the belt 320 (see FIG.33). The surface 362 of the belt 320 may be referred to as the interiorsurface of the belt 320, in consideration of the fact that the surface362 is the surface facing away from the wet chips and other material tobe carried by the belt 320. The surface 360 may have a roughenedtexture, which may better permit the drive pulley assembly 332 totransmit torque and motion from the pulley assembly 332 to the belt 320.In particular, the textured surface 360 may be defined by a covering364, or lagging, which is disposed on a surface 368 of the body 334 ofthe pulley assembly 332. Specifically, the lagging 364 may be apolyvinyl chloride (PVC) rough top lagging.

The system 300 may also differ from earlier embodiments (see FIGS. 1-25,for example) in that a driven pulley assembly 382 may be included (seeFIG. 31). The driven pulley assembly 382 may be disposed near the endtrack block 316, and be made of plastic mounted on a central metalshaft, for example. The driven pulley assembly 382, like the drivepulley assembly 332, has a length between opposing ends that is lessthan the distance between the edges 322, 324 of the belt 320 (i.e., thewidth of the belt 320), so that the ends of the pulley assembly 332 maybe spaced from the tracks 306 and the chords 326, 328. However, unlikethe drive pulley assembly 332, torque and motion is not transmitted fromthe pulley assembly 382 to the belt 320, but may be transmitted from thebelt 320 to the pulley assembly 382. The pulley assembly 382 may supportthe belt 320 while the chords 326, 328 make their passage through theU-shaped notch 318 in the end plates 316. It is believed that thecooperation between the chords 326, 328 and the track 304 may beimproved through the use of the pulley assembly 382.

While one or more embodiments have been illustrated and described indetail herein, it will be appreciated that modifications and variationthereof may be effected without departing from the spirit of theinvention and the appended claims.

1. A conveyor apparatus for conveying materials, said apparatuscomprising: a frame assembly including a first frame sidewall and asecond frame sidewall spaced from said first sidewall; a first trackassembly located on said first frame sidewall; a second track assemblylocated on said second frame sidewall; said track assemblies eachincluding a track extending along the length of said track assembly; aflexible conveyor belt having a first side and a second side spaced fromsaid first side; a first flexible chord member joined to and locatedcontiguous to said first conveyor belt side; a second flexible chordmember joined to and located contiguous to said second conveyor beltside; said first track and said first chord member each being shapedwhereby said first chord member and said first track substantially matewith one another when said first chord member is disposed within saidfirst track; said second track and said second chord member each beingshaped whereby said second chord member and said second tracksubstantially mate with one another when said second chord member isdisposed within said track; and, a drive assembly connected to saidframe assembly for actuating said conveyor belt to travel relative tosaid track assemblies whereby said first chord member slides within saidfirst track and said first track and said second chord member slideswithin said second track.
 2. A conveyor apparatus in accordance withclaim 1 wherein: said first chord member and said first track are eachshaped to permit said first chord member to substantially mate with saidfirst track and provide a substantial dynamic seal when said first chordmember travels relative to said first track; and said second chordmember and said second track are each shaped to permit said second chordmember to substantially mate with second track and provide a substantialdynamic seal when said second chord member travels relative to saidsecond track.
 3. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with claim 1wherein: said first track assembly includes an upper track and a lowertrack spaced from said upper track; said second track assembly includesan upper track and a lower track spaced from said upper track; and saidconveyor belt and said chord members are endless.
 4. A conveyorapparatus in accordance with claim 3 further comprising: a first trackend block having a track, said first track end block being positionedcontiguous to said upper and lower spaced tracks of said first trackassembly, said first end block track being substantially aligned withsaid upper and lower tracks of said first track assembly; and a secondtrack end block having a track, said second track end block beingpositioned contiguous to said upper and lower spaced tracks of saidsecond track assembly, said second end block track being substantiallyaligned with said upper and lower tracks of said second track assembly.5. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said driveassembly comprises: a motor assembly; a drive shaft connected to saidmotor assembly and mounted for rotation on said frame assembly; and adrive pulley assembly attached to the drive shaft and having a texturedsurface that cooperates with a surface of the conveyor belt.
 6. Aconveyor apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said drive pulleyassembly comprises a cylindrical tube body and a lagging disposed on asurface of said tube body.
 7. A conveyor apparatus in accordance withclaim 6 wherein: said tube body has spaced ends and a length betweensaid ends; and said belt has a width between said sides, the length ofthe tube body being less than the width of the belt.
 8. A conveyorassembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein: said frame sidewalls havefirst and second ends; said drive pulley assembly is disposed at saidfirst ends; and said drive assembly comprises a driven pulley disposedat said second ends.
 9. A conveyor assembly in accordance with claim 5further comprising a belt tensioning assembly attached to said frameassembly for moving said drive shaft relative to said conveyor belt. 10.A conveyor apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising aconveyor belt support assembly, said conveyor belt support assemblycomprising: a plurality of spaced traverse support bars, each bar havinga first side and second side; each bar traversing said first and secondframe sidewalls and being joined to said sidewalls; and a plurality ofspaced rod-like members, each rod like member being disposed on andjoined to said spaced bar members.
 11. A conveyor apparatus inaccordance with claim 1 wherein each chord member is integral with saidconveyor belt.
 12. A conveyor apparatus in accordance with claim 1wherein each chord member is attached to said conveyor belt.
 13. Aconveyor apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein each chord memberis made of the same material as the conveyor belt material and isintegral with said conveyor belt.
 14. A conveyor apparatus in accordancewith claim 1 wherein said conveyor belt is porous.
 15. A conveyorapparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said tracks of said firstand second track assemblies comprises a slot and the defined shape ofsaid each of said chord members is keyed to fit within said slot.
 16. Aconveyor apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprisingflashing depending from the frame sidewalls.
 17. A conveyor apparatus inaccordance with claim 1 further comprising a vacuum apparatus coupled tounderside of said conveyor belt to pull a vacuum on said an underside ofsaid conveyor belt.
 18. A conveyor apparatus for conveying materials,said apparatus comprising: a frame assembly including first and secondspaced frame sidewalls; a first track assembly located on said firstframe sidewall; a second track assembly located on said second framesidewall; said first track assembly having a pair of spaced tracks; saidsecond track assembly having a pair of spaced tracks; a first track endblock positioned on said first frame sidewall contiguous to said firsttrack assembly and having a first end block track that joins said firstand second tracks on said first track assembly; a second track end blockpositioned or said second frame sidewall contiguous to said second trackassembly and having a second end block track that joins said first andsecond tracks or said second track assembly; a conveyor belt having afirst side and second side; a first chord member joined to and locatedalong said first conveyor belt side; a second chord member joined to andlocated along said second conveyor belt side; said first track assemblytracks and said first chord member each being shaped whereby said firstchord member and said first track assembly tracks substantially matewith one another when said first chord member is disposed within saidfirst track assembly tracks; said second track assembly tracks and saidsecond chord member each being shaped whereby said second chord memberand said second track assembly tracks substantially mate with oneanother when said second chord member is disposed within said secondtrack assembly tracks; and, a drive assembly connected to said frame foractuating said conveyor belt to travel relative to said tracks wherebysaid first chord member slides within said tracks in said first trackassembly said and said second chord member slides within said tracks insaid second track assembly.
 19. A conveyor apparatus in accordance withclaim 18 wherein: said first chord member and said first track assemblytracks are each shaped to permit said first chord member tosubstantially mate with said first track assembly tracks and provide asubstantial dynamic seal when said first chord member travels relativeto said first track assembly tracks; and said second chord member andsaid second track assembly tracks are each shaped to permit said secondchord member to substantially mate with said second track assemblytracks and provide a substantial dynamic seal when said second chordmember travels relative to said second track assembly tracks.
 20. Aconveyor apparatus in accordance with claim 19 wherein said conveyorbelt and chord members are endless.
 21. A conveyor apparatus inaccordance with claim 18 wherein: said end block contiguous to saidfirst track assembly has a U-shaped track having substantially thedefined cross-sectional shape of the first track assembly tracks; andsaid end block contiguous to said second track assembly has a U-shapedtrack having substantially the defined cross-sectional shape of thesecond track assembly tracks.
 22. A conveyor apparatus in accordancewith claim 18 wherein said drive assembly comprises: a motor assembly; adrive shaft coupled to said motor assembly; a pair of spaced bearingassemblies, each bearing assembly being mounted in a frame sidewall andsaid drive shaft being disposed in said bearing assemblies; and a drivepulley assembly attached to the drive shaft and having a texturedsurface that cooperates with a surface of the conveyor belt.
 23. Aconveyor apparatus in accordance with claim 18 further comprising avacuum apparatus coupled to an underside of said conveyor belt to pull avacuum on said underside of said conveyor belt.
 24. A method ofconveying material in a conveyor with an apparatus comprising: a frameassembly including a first frame sidewall and a second frame sidewallspaced from said first sidewall; a first track assembly located on saidfirst frame sidewall; a second track assembly located on said secondframe sidewall; said track assemblies each including a track extendingalong the length of said track assembly; a flexible conveyor belt havinga first side and a second side spaced from said first side; a firstflexible chord member joined to and located contiguous to said firstconveyor belt side; a second flexible chord member joined to and locatedcontiguous to said second conveyor belt side; said first track and saidfirst chord member each being shaped whereby said first chord member andsaid first track substantially mate with one another when said firstchord member is disposed within said first track; said second track andsaid second chord member each being shaped whereby said second chordmember and said second track substantially mate with one another whensaid second chord member is disposed within said second track; a driveassembly connected to said frame assembly for actuating said conveyorbelt to travel relative to said track assemblies whereby said firstchord member slides within said first track and said second chord memberslides within said second track; said method comprising: placingmaterial to be conveyed on said conveyor belt; sliding said chordmembers joined to said conveyor belt relative to said track assembliesto cause said conveyor belt to move from one location to a secondlocation; and precluding said material on said conveyor beltsubstantially from exiting said conveyor belt at the sides of saidconveyor belt while said belt is moving.
 25. The method according toclaim 24, the conveyor belt having an underside, and the method furthercomprising pulling a vacuum on said underside of said conveyor belt.